Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt. Some alternative names for bipolar disorder are manic depression and bipolar affective disorder. Bipolar disorder actually affects men and women equally. It usually appears between the ages of 15-25. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is actually unknown, but it seems to occur a lot more often with in relatives of people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder results from disturbances in the areas of the brain that regulate your mood.

There are two primary types of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder I have had at least one fully manic episode with periods of major depression. In the past, bipolar disorder was called manic depression.

People with bipolar disorder II seldom experience full-fledged mania. Instead they experience periods of hypomania (elevated levels of energy and impulsiveness that are not as extreme as the symptoms of mania). These hypo manic periods alternate with episodes of major depression.

A mild form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia involves periods of hypomania and mild depression, with less severe mood swings. People with bipolar disorder II or cyclothymia may be misdiagnosed as having depression alone.

There are different symptoms that may occur when having bipolar disorder. The manic phase may last from days to months and can include the following symptoms: •Agitation or irritation
•Elevated mood
oHyperactivity
oIncreased energy
oLack of self-control
oRacing thoughts
•Inflated self-esteem (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities) •Little need for sleep
•Over-involvement in activities
•Poor temper control
•Reckless behavior
oBinge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
oImpaired judgment
oSexual promiscuity
oSpending sprees
•Tendency to be...